6 Best Shopping in Arenal, Monteverde, and the Northern Lowlands, Costa Rica

Stop into this atelier for a unique, elevated gift or keepsake that you will not see in the big souvenir shops: jewelry, art, T-shirts, chocolate, honey, spices, and soaps, all handmade in Costa Rica by local artisans. You can even watch the jewelry being made, and a portion of the proceeds goes to reforestation efforts.

This artisans' cooperative is made up of 45 people, mostly women, who sell locally made crafts. The prices are higher than they are at most other places, but the high quality and the knowledge that you are contributing to the livelihood of the community justifies paying a bit more. The attached restaurant serves typical Costa Rican dishes.

Although the strip mall doesn't provide the most picturesque setting, inside you'll find lovely souvenirs and other Costa Rican--made items that you won’t see at the typical tourist traps. The store features handmade leather purses, beautiful and affordable jewelry, totes, art, scarves, and home goods.

Standouts among the books, jewelry, T-shirts, and Costa Rican coffee on display here are photographs by local nature specialists Michael and Patricia Fogden. This is a great place to emulate their efforts: you can capture an image of a hummingbird in action as hundreds flutter around the feeders. No flash photography is allowed.

This lovely art gallery offers local paintings, sculptures, photography, pottery, and jewelry. The wooden artwork is amazing, and some of it is displayed inside a unique gazebo.

This small local store carries organic goods and is the distributor for the area's gourmet Monteverde coffee and accoutrements.